Ankle fracture rules Drudru out of the tournament

Zanzeer Singh
Monday, April 14, 2014

NADI'S star striker Samuela Drudru has been ruled out of action for a few weeks after suffering a hairline ankle fracture during the Oceania Football Confederation Champions League match against Auckland City last Tuesday.

Drudru, making his debut for the Vodafone Shop N Save Nadi team, was sent off in the fixture after a tackle on Angel Berlanga who had to be stretchered off the field.

It seems Drudru came off second best in the tackle as he has been ordered to wear walking brace on his right foot and is on crutches.

Auckland City FC coach Roman Tribulietx has expressed concern at the hard challenges on his players.

Tribulietx said the tackles could put the players in danger.

"The players understanding and delivery has been good," he said.

"Unfortunately those tackles could put the players in danger so it should be sanctioned. We lost Angel in the first match. Luckily he is only out for three months. It could have been worse.

"When you watch the tackle on television it was crazy. Everyone involved in football should think about these things. Hopefully it does not happen often."

Auckland City FC has won the competition for the past three seasons. The side has strengthened its squad this year roping players from England, Korea, Portugal and United States.

Portuguese striker Joao Moriera and Korean defender Daewook Kim have been the two players who have stood out.

"Moriera has been with us for three months and Kim came in a few weeks ago," Tribulietx said.

"We have done a bit of tactical work so that they know how we attack and defend. I think their understanding of the game is good.

"Kim does not know the language so we have done a lot of one on one sessions with him," he added.

Today, Nadi will play AS Dragon at 1pm while Auckland City will take on Amicale FC at 4pm. Both matches will be played at Churchill Park in Lautoka.